Children's Assessment Service (CAS) Social Worker

Your new company Oxfordshire County Council is looking for an experienced Social Worker / Senior Practitioner to join the Children's Assessment Service (CAS) based in Abingdon.This is a fast-paced, front-door service where you will play a key role in assessing risk, safeguarding children, and ensuring timely interventions for children, young people, and families.You will manage a caseload undertaking Section 17 Child & Family Assessments and Section 47 Child Protection enquiries, ensuring that children's voices are central to all decisions and plans. Your new role Key Responsibilities • Complete Child & Family Assessments (S17) and Child Protection investigations (S47) • Respond to new referrals and act as a duty worker on rotation • Develop SMART care and intervention plans to support families • Work collaboratively within a multi-agency safeguarding framework • Prepare high-quality reports (assessments, child protection conferences, court reports) • Ensure the child's voice is captured in all assessments and planning • Support timely progression of cases to long-term teams where required • Maintain accurate and compliant case records What you'll need to succeed • Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration • Minimum 3 years post-qualifying experience (Senior Practitioner level) • Strong experience in: • Child Protection • Section 47 investigations • Child & Family Assessments (S17) • Experience working in a statutory children's social care setting • Excellent risk assessment, analytical, and decision-making skills • Strong multi-agency working experience Desirable Skills • Experience within a Children's Assessment or Front Door team • Knowledge of the Family Safeguarding Model Working Arrangements • Full-time role (30+ hours per week) • Hybrid working - minimum 2 days per week in the office (Abingdon) • Flexible approach required to meet service demand What you'll get in return Why Join Oxfordshire County Council? • Be part of a high-performing front-door service making a real impact. • Work within a supportive, collaborative team environment • Opportunity for contract extension • Competitive pay and flexible working arrangements What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk